Seminar Explores Doing Business with the United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates are a leading importer of Iowa goods in the Middle East, and Iowa companies can learn how to expand their trading relationships with this country at a March 24 seminar hosted by the Institute for International Business (IIB) at the University of Iowa's Tippie College of Business.

Speakers include Christian Reed, senior commercial officer at the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi. Reed can help Iowa companies identify business opportunities in the UAE, and explain how to find and work with distributors and agents in the Emirates.

Kam Shah from the U.S. Commerce Department's Middle East and North Africa Business Information Center (MENABIC) in Washington, D.C., will present practical information about MENABIC and how exporters can use the center to support business opportunities in 16 Middle East countries.

Terry Boles, director of the IIB and associate professor in the Department of Management and Organizations, will moderate the seminar.

This event is sponsored by the IIB, the Islamic Services of America, the U.S. Commercial Service, the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, Midamar Corp. in Cedar Rapids and the Iowa Department of Economic Development.

According to the IIB, Iowa exports to the UAE continue to show strong growth in both manufactured and agricultural products. Between 2000 and 2004, Iowa exports to the UAE increased by 45 percent. Through September of 2005, exports were $15,938,000, an increase of 20 percent from September 2004.

The State of Iowa exports goods to approximately 175 countries and territories. Over the last several years, the United Arab Emirates has consistently ranked as one of the 35 largest importers of Iowa products in the world. Within the Middle East, it is also the fourth largest importer, behind only Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Israel.